FAQ

Short answers to the questions people ask most often about Uncapped. Each one links to a fuller page if you want the details.

What is Uncapped, and what does it do?

Uncapped is a keyboard and mouse customization app for macOS. It turns one key into a conflict-free Hyper Key, builds lighter modifier keys like the Meh Key and Phew Key, lets you move the cursor with Vim motions, and assigns shortcuts that launch apps, manage windows, and run system actions — plus it can remap your mouse buttons and trackpad gestures. See Getting Started to set it up.

Why does Uncapped need Accessibility permission?

Everything Uncapped does comes down to watching your key presses and mouse clicks and reshaping them into the shortcuts you’ve set up. macOS only allows that with Accessibility access, so without it the app can’t function. You grant it once in System Settings; the Getting Started page walks you through it.

Why is macOS asking me to allow “System Events”?

The system actions — like Sleep, Restart, Empty Trash, or toggling dark mode — work by asking macOS itself to do those things. The first time you trigger one, macOS shows a one-time prompt asking you to allow Uncapped to control System Events. Click OK once and it’s remembered; you won’t be asked again.

My Hyper Key stopped working after I installed another keyboard app. Why?

Other keyboard tools (Raycast, Superkey, Karabiner, and similar) often remap the same key you use for the Hyper Key. When two apps claim one key, the last one to set it wins — so the other app can quietly take over, even though Uncapped still looks enabled. Quit the other tool, or turn on Recover after another app quits so Uncapped re-applies itself automatically. See Troubleshooting and Settings for more.

Can I still type capital letters if Caps Lock is my Hyper Key?

Yes. Turn on Long press toggles Caps Lock so a deliberate hold of the key acts as real Caps Lock, while a quick tap and held shortcuts still work as before. You can also set the On tap action to Toggle Caps Lock, or simply choose a different trigger key and leave Caps Lock alone. The Hyper Key page covers all three options.

Why can’t I use Caps Lock as my Meh or Phew key?

The Meh Key and Phew Key are built from real modifier keys — Shift, Control, Option, or Command — which Uncapped watches as you hold them down. Caps Lock isn’t a modifier; it’s an on/off toggle, so it can’t fill that role. That’s exactly why Caps Lock is the natural home for the Hyper Key instead.

How do I switch keyboard languages with a single tap?

On the Hyper Key screen, turn on Quick tap and set the On tap action to Switch to and from US or Cycle all input sources. After that, a quick tap of your trigger key switches keyboard layouts, while holding it down still works as the Hyper Key.

Which mouse buttons can I customize?

The middle button (the scroll-wheel click) and any extra side, back, or forward buttons your mouse has. The regular left and right clicks are left untouched on purpose, so normal clicking always works. See Mouse for how to assign them.

An app isn’t showing up in the Apps list. Why?

Uncapped gathers the list of installed apps when it launches. If you installed the app afterward, it won’t appear yet — reopen the Apps screen (or relaunch Uncapped) and it’ll show up.

Does Uncapped collect or send my data?

Uncapped sends only anonymous, aggregate usage analytics — which features get used — through TelemetryDeck, so we know what to improve. It never sends the keys you press, the text you type, or anything that identifies you. Your Stats are recorded separately and stay entirely on your Mac.

Does Uncapped keep working when I close its window?

Yes. Closing the window only hides the interface — all your keys, shortcuts, and mouse actions keep running in the background. When you want to switch everything off, quit Uncapped with Cmd-Q.

How do I uninstall Uncapped and undo the Caps Lock change?

Quit Uncapped and move it to the Trash. Quitting automatically restores Caps Lock (and any other trigger key) to normal, so there’s no cleanup step — and even the low-level remap never survives a restart on its own.